WASHINGTON– The state of Florida executed a man Thursday night who admitted raping and murdering six women, some of whom were dismembered.

David Alan Gore, 58, who spent nearly 30 years on death row, was pronounced dead at 6:19 pm local time (2219 GMT) after receiving a lethal injection, state prison spokeswoman Jo Ellyn Rackleff told AFP.

Gore admitted killing four girls and two women in Vero Beach, Florida. He was sentenced to death for the murder of 17-year-old Lynn Elliott, whom he killed as she tried to escape from him.

Some of his last words were intended for the parents of Lynn Elliott.

“I would like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott that I am truly sorry for my part in the death of your daughter,” he said, according to a transcript provided by the prison.

“I wish above all else my death could bring her back,” he said. “I am not the same man today that I was 28 years ago… I know God has truly forgiven me for my past sins.”

On July 26, 1983, Gore and his cousin picked up hitchhiker Lynn Elliott and a 14-year-old friend of hers. Gore tied them up and raped them.

When the 17-year-old tried to escape, Gore caught her and killed her.

He was arrested immediately afterward when a witness intervened. He later admitted killing five other young women and led police to the dismembered bodies of four of his victims.

On the day of his execution, Gore was visited by his mother and his ex-wife. All his court appeals had been exhausted, including ones to the US Supreme Court.

For his last meal he ate fried chicken, French fries and pecan pie with ice cream.

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